Baby Registry Introduction
Double stroller
City select double stroller works really well and very durable. It’s in mid price range in comparison to other stroller brands.
Baby Showers typically occur in the third trimester about 1-3 months before expected due date. Not too close to the due date in case baby comes early and allows you enough time to purchase remaining baby items. Now is a good time to start formulating your registry while you have the energy to look at what you want to add, check out where you want to register and make a day of it. Typically someone will plan and host the baby shower for you so this is really your only job here.
Now this task can seem quite overwhelming. Where do you even start, what baby items do you get for the first few months, how much etc?! There is SOOOOO much baby items out there, it really seems impossible.
The first step is deciding where you want to register?! Typically people register at one or two places. Factors you want to consider are somewhere that is closer to you for convenience in picking and grabbing items or easy shipping options. A place that has a bit of everything when it comes to baby gear. Stollers, car seats, nursery accessories, toys, feeding gear, diaper bags etc. The larger nursery items (like crib, mattress, glider, dresser) are not usually important for the registry since usually you will be picking and buying yourself or have close family member contribute. But accessories are good like sheets, change pad, diaper pail etc. Another factor to think about is if the place has an online option. For one, all your guests might not live close to the store. Sometimes people will have it delivered to you making it a lot easier for you to bring gifts home. You can easily add or subtract items online from your home once you create a registry. Online option really just makes it easier for everybody and most places will have that option. You can even keep track of your registry and if items have been purchased or not. One of your registries may even be exclusively online (i.e. Amazon). I wouldn’t recommend having an only online option as your registry. Some of the older guests may be confused with how to order and many people like to go into the store and pick out items personally. Not everyone is an online shopper. It would be good to have an online exclusive option and a store option though. Once you register, a lot of places will offer a discount for you to return once your baby shower has happened to get any remaining baby items on your list (typically 10% off).
For my first baby, I registered at Babies R us. Babies R Us has a lot of the main baby gear and accessories as well as an online option. I also did Baby List. It is an online registry where you can put items from any website. It is a good online option, but I personally thought it was confusing to get items from all over and add stuff Canadian vs US website (I was just beginning my online shopping days so probably would have been better to use one I got more experienced with it).
I will make a list of some suggested places around the GTA or online that I have used or been to as well as other mommy friends who recommend. To give you a sense of what places to start looking to find a right fit for you…
Baby bjorn bouncer
Used this bouncer so much more than I thought we would. So flexible, light and easy to put anywhere!
Babies R Us: has a bit of everything! Nurserys supplies, cribs, strollers, high chairs, playpens, feeding, toys, clothes, bottles etc. They also have diverse price ranges for different baby items. The only downfall I would find with Babies R Us is that they don’t have too much selection for the higher end brands (only if you are looking for them). But if you are on a budget or want more mid level brands, Babies R Us is a perfect option for you.
Buy Buy baby (Bed bath & Beyond): Bit of everything! They do carry a range of lower to high end brands. They have an online website with a lot of options. They carry some baby products in bed bath beyond, but most of baby gear products etc are in the Buy buy baby locations in Vaughan or Whitby.
Pottery Barn kids: have such gorgeous baby nursery items and some accessories. However they have limited range of baby gear. It is more so nursery related gear and items like cribs, linens, decor, some toys and other items such as water bottles, plates, towels. They definitely have some beautiful stuff here on the higher price range. They do frequently have sales going on (not huge but in and around 20%). If you can wait for those sales do. And they have an online Canadian shopping option. As well as personalization (but in store only). Restoration Hardware kids is also another similar option with absolutely beautiful pieces - however only available in the States.
Every city has their own smaller, boutique like baby stores. Those are great too just ensure they have a lot of different kinds of baby gear and accessories as well as online option (unless you have an additional online option). Places like Canabee baby (aurora), Dear born baby (Thornhill) etc.
Places in Toronto
West Coast Kids (also have a location now in Richmond Hill at Hilcrest mall): Bit of everything! I would say more on the higher end of brands and prices. But really great if they are in your budget! Have an online option as well. I introduced my sister to this store and she picked it for her registry. She really liked it and they had some hipster like baby items and clothes too (so her style!). At the Toronto location they have an upstairs level with nursery gear and accessories - always with some sale options. Most stuff is on the higher end of prices, but you definitely find some more reasonably priced options as well. They did offer a discount for the mom to return post baby shower to get remaining items they still wish to buy - but it had to be purchased in the one day you chose.
Snuggle Bugz: is also good. I have never been to the store, but they have online option to order stuff which I have used before. Again they have a bit of everything and I have seen people register with them before. They don’t carry nursery gear like cribs, change tables, but some accessories like changing pad, sheets etc. They have a few locations including St.Clair, Burlington, Etobicoke, Oakville etc. Not too many lower end brands options - mostly mid to high end brands.
Diaper-eez: Another mid - high end brands with a bit of everything in terms of baby gear. However they carry smaller baby gear items, toys etc. Not big ticket items like high chair, stroller, cribs etc. Good spot if it’s located close to you - Runnymede.
Baby on the Hip: clearly a hipster baby store with locations on queen st E and Dundas. Again higher end baby gear with a range of most things excluding large nursery items. Also with online option.
BB Buggy (Yorkville): location will tell you it is a bit on the higher end side, but with really good brands. Mix of everything from big baby gear to smaller items as well as nursery gear (crib, glider etc). Online option too.
Ella and Elliot: I have been to this store when my sister was registering. Uber modern, very Scandinavian style. I feel there is more furniture items , nursery accessories and hip strollers. Some smaller baby gear stuff, but not many options. And some posh layette items such as newborn clothes and blankets. More options online as well.
Online Exclusiveamazon.ca : Amazon has almost everything! Including baby items and gear. The only thing you have to be conscious about it always price check with things you see on amazon. Sometimes it can be cheaper and sometimes it can be overpriced. So always cross reference your items. Amazon is also better when you have specific items in mind that you having trouble finding at some stores. It’s a bit harder to browse on amazon since there is so much on it!
well.ca: Canadian based company ships out of Guelph. It has a lot of useful baby gear and varying brands in mid price range. Also lots of baby friendly household products or pregnancy items. There is always something on sale on this website and you don’t have to spend much for free shipping. They have everyday baby items, larger gear like strollers, high chairs and some nursery gear too! I use this website in general for baby/kid products and household items on a regular basis.
indigo.ca: It’s technically not online exclusive. Of course there are indigo/chapter locations. However in terms of baby supplies, they do not carry much in store. More gift sets, toys, onesies, blankets in store. Majority of registry items you would need are exclusively online and there is a lot to choose from. They have larger baby gear like car seats, strollers and smaller necessities like wipes, baby bath & clothes. They also have some nursery decor and essentials like sheets, rugs, bassinets etc. They do have sales pretty often so keep a watch for that! And easy shipping options to your home or to a local store.
These are just some of the places I have heard of or experienced personally and I hope it will give you an idea of where to start looking. Of course don’t overwhelm yourself. Pick a few places that are convenient for you and narrow down on what types of baby gear you want to get. If you are registering at a store (which I would recommend at least one registry being an actual store), you should check it out personally so you have an idea what they have, the service they provide, you can actually see and feel the products before purchasing. Especially important with the more expensive baby stuff you will need to invest in.
And try to make it fun! It can be an experience! Take a family member or friend with who has some experience with anything baby related and shop with the clicker that allows you to go around selecting what you want and like. Follow with a lunch or dessert after since shopping can be hard work! You don’t have to pick everything that day, but you can at least get some decisions done, have some help along with you and enjoy being excited about baby to be.
For second time moms, some like to do another shower. Personally, I think it is tacky. You CLEARLY have all the major baby gear items so the only things you will need to get are items you can replenish on your own or different gender based clothes if that’s the case. If you still want to have an excuse to celebrate with your friends and family an alternative is doing a baby SPRINKLE or diaper party. Baby sprinkle you are still asking fo things, but I guess it’s more casual and smaller like items like blankets and onesies that need to be replenished. Or you could do an even more casual diaper party even for both males and females and just ask everyone to bring diapers instead of bottle of wine or fruit tray.
Sleeping baby
In Peg Perego black car seat and using Aden Anais swaddles which were so multipurpose and so breathable for spring babies!